Chapter 91: Chapter 91: Chaos Celestial Ladder

When the multicolored torrent dissipated, Shen Haoran was able to make out the figure’s face.

He was a middle-aged man in fitted black martial attire. His build was formidable, his features handsome. Beneath a pair of sword-like brows, his eyes glittered like cold stars. An almost imperceptible aura emanated from him, pressing down on the crowd until they could barely breathe.

’A Spirit Emperor powerhouse!’ Shen Haoran was shocked. ’So this is the Sect Leader of the Five Elements Sect, Chen Yu?’

"Sect Leader!" Seeing the middle-aged man, everyone hurriedly bowed in greeting.

"Elders, there is no need for such formalities." The middle-aged man waved his hand, signaling for everyone to rise. Every gesture was imbued with the majesty of an Emperor. A Spirit Emperor powerhouse was an emperor among men, capable of controlling the very world around them.

"Sect Leader, this year’s newly recruited disciples are all here. We are just waiting for you to test them personally," She Master stepped forward and spoke with reverence. Although she was his senior by several generations, the disparity in their power meant that even she had to greet Chen Yu with the utmost respect.

"Oh~" Chen Yu glanced around, his eyes sweeping over the crowd on the platform. He nodded in satisfaction, even showing a hint of pleasant surprise.

Then, Chen Yu’s body slowly rose, finally coming to a stop in mid-air.

Walking on Void—this was the hallmark of a Spirit Emperor powerhouse. At that stage, one’s body merged with heaven and earth, making standing in the air as easy as walking on solid ground.

The crowd gazed at Chen Yu in mid-air, their eyes filled with adoration. A Spirit Emperor powerhouse! Some people could strive their entire lives and never reach such a level. To witness one in person was an experience that made life feel worthwhile.

Shen Haoran was equally filled with envy, and an intense desire burned in his heart. He, too, longed to possess such power. He believed that one day, he would, and that day was not far off.

"Thank you for choosing the Five Elements Sect. Now that you are here, this is your home. As long as you have the heart of a powerhouse, the Sect will pour all its resources into you. You must believe that you are the future of the Sect, and the Sect will surely be proud of you!" Chen Yu declared with passionate fervor. Although his voice was not loud, it echoed in everyone’s ears. The Martial Artists in the square began to cheer, their voices deafening.

"To motivate you, there will be a test before you officially enter the Sect, and the prizes for this test are unprecedentedly generous! The third-place winner will receive a Profound Tier Middle Level Martial Skill scroll and a Third Grade Elixir, the Nourishing Spirit Pill! The second-place winner will receive a Profound Tier High Level Martial Technique scroll and a Fourth Grade Elixir, the Dragon Power Pill! And the first-place winner will receive an Earth Tier Low Level Martial Skill scroll and a Fifth Grade Elixir, the Dragon Saliva Pill!"

Gasps of astonishment rippled through the square the moment Chen Yu finished speaking. An Earth Tier Martial Skill? A Fifth Grade Elixir? The prizes for this test were unbelievably generous!

Not only that, but Elder Huo and the others also stared at Chen Yu in disbelief. They hadn’t expected the prizes to include a Fifth Grade Elixir. One had to understand that even for people of their level, a Fifth Grade Elixir was a rare treasure.

When Shen Haoran heard the Dragon Saliva Pill mentioned among the prizes, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. As someone well-versed in elixirs, he knew its effects well. The Fifth Grade Dragon Saliva Pill was a type of Body Refining Pill, but it was unique. Instead of refining bones and meridians, the Dragon Saliva Pill remolded a person’s internal organs.

The internal organs were known to be the most fragile parts of the human body. While meridians and bones were nourished by Spiritual Power, the internal organs were as delicate as paper, unable to withstand even its gentlest touch. Yet, the Dragon Saliva Pill could temper them. Not only that, it could also increase the body’s affinity for Spiritual Power. Once that affinity was raised, one’s cultivation speed would increase dramatically! With tempered internal organs, one’s physical conditioning would reach a new height, and their constitution would undergo a qualitative breakthrough!

At this thought, Shen Haoran couldn’t help but lick his lips. ’That Dragon Saliva Pill... it has to be mine!’ It wasn’t just Shen Haoran; the several talented disciples on the platform were also eager, all of them wanting to claim the Dragon Saliva Pill for themselves.

Seeing the disciples below thoroughly motivated by the rewards, Chen Yu smiled faintly. Then, with a grand wave of his hand, a massive, hill-like trapezoidal platform descended from the sky, landing solidly in the center of the square.

THUD! The terrifying weight made the entire square tremble.

"This is..." Shen Haoran stared at the giant trapezoidal platform, his heart pounding in shock.

"This is the supreme treasure of our Five Elements Sect: the Chaos Celestial Ladder! The first Sect Leader acquired it by chance. It is said to be a Sacred Artifact that exudes the pressure of a Saint. The Chaos Celestial Ladder has eighty-one steps in total. The higher you climb, the more difficult it becomes, and the stronger the pressure grows. However, this also makes it a prime location for cultivation. Comprehending Martial Arts under a Saint’s pressure allows one to achieve twice the results with half the effort. The closer you are to the top, the more insights you can gain. Legend has it that a Saint’s inheritance lies at the very peak, but since no one has ever reached it, we don’t know if that’s true or not," Elder Huo explained from the side.

"A Saint’s inheritance!" Shen Haoran swallowed hard, looking up at the trapezoidal platform that soared into the clouds.

"I didn’t expect the Sect Leader to actually bring out the Chaos Celestial Ladder to test these kids. It seems he holds them in high regard," She Master remarked, gazing at the Chaos Celestial Ladder with a sigh.

"Indeed. This time, both Thick Earth Hall and Golden Sun Hall have found excellent disciples—a twenty-year-old Spirit General who will surely become a great talent with a little nurturing. And Cyan Wood Hall has even found a genius with an Extreme Attribute Physique. The heavens are truly blessing our sect!" said an elder standing beside She Master.

"Oh? In that case, who do you think will take first place in this test?" She Master asked.

"Well... the Chaos Celestial Ladder tests one’s talent and comprehension of Martial Arts. From that perspective, the one from Cyan Wood Hall with the Extreme Attribute Physique probably has the best chance," the elder said after a moment of deliberation.

"Oh, is that so? I, for one, think the boy Elder Huo brought back isn’t bad either," She Master said, her gaze on Shen Haoran.

"That boy? He’s just a Tier Eight Spirit Pupil, nothing else remarkable about him. I don’t know what Elder Huo sees in him. Could he really just be here to fill a quota?" the elder said, shaking his head.

"Hehe, you can’t just judge by appearances! Why don’t we make a bet? I’ll bet that boy takes first place. The stake will be my Thousand Year Reishi. What do you say?" She Master chuckled lightly.

"Really?!" Hearing She Master’s words, a gleam shot through the elder’s eyes. He had been coveting her reishi for a long time. He never imagined she would actually wager it today.

"Of course. But if you lose, you’ll have to give one of your spots for entering the Secret Realm to my Linglong Hall. How about it?"

"No problem!" the elder accepted joyfully. In his eyes, Shen Haoran stood no chance against Mu Feiyu.

Looking at the delighted elder, She Master gave a meaningful smile, then said no more, turning her gaze back to the Chaos Celestial Ladder.

"Alright, the assessment now officially begins! Everyone, ascend the ladder!"

[Third update of the day is here! Asking for recommendations and favorites! Thank you, my bros!!!]